Packers vs. Bears: Keys to the game

Monday

Dec 22, 2008 at 12:01 AMDec 22, 2008 at 10:00 PM

How the Bears can beat Green Bay.

Matt Trowbridge

Contain Aaron Rodgers

All eyes will be on Ryan Grant, who ran for a season-high 145 yards last month in the Packers’ 37-3 victory, but the Bears have played better overall defense since they’ve loosened up against the run and tightened up against the pass the last four games.

Score a long touchdown

Green Bay boasted a stout pass defense and a suspect run defense at midseason, but everything has become suspect during the Packers’ four-game losing streak. The biggest problem is big plays; Green Bay has given up an NFL-high 13 touchdowns of at least 20 yards. "That’s the biggest thing," offensive coordinator Ron Turner said. "They’ve given up some big plays, which they really hadn’t done before."

Kyle Orton passes for at least 180 yards

In freezing weather, even an OK passing game by the man teammates call K.O. should be enough to open up running room for Matt Forte (or Adrian Peterson and Kevin Jones if Forte sits out with a toe injury) and help the Bears score 20 points.

Adrian Peterson and Bernard Berrian lose three fumbles

Actually, that was the key to the season, not this game. Those bobbles by Minnesota’s two offensive stars made this one of the most important Bear-Packer games in memory by keeping the Bears’ NFC North title hopes alive.